Posted October 5 2026
By Alasdair Spinner
This blog relates to the "stamp duty" and the foreign person surcharge applicable to 482 Skills in Demand (SiD) visa holders and permanent residents (PR).
90% of overseas trained specialists travel to Australia on a 482 SiD.
Stamp duty is a tax payable when you buy a property in Australia. It is the same for 482 visa holders as it is for PR. However, each State and Territory has the discretion to apply an expensive Foreign Purchaser surcharge for 482 visa holders which PR do not have to pay. These surcharges apply to new build or "off-the-plan" housing because 482 holders are not allowed to purchase established dwellings (unless an Australian PR or citizen is on joint purchase).
Therefore, our advice is always to apply for PR as soon as possible when you arrive in Australia. The fastest one of our specialists recieved PR after arriving in Australia is 11 months. Generally it can take 18-24 months. If you are over 50, you have to work for 2 years before applying for PR.
Below are the current Foreign Purchaser surcharges by state and territory, if you wanted to buy a new build or off-the-plan house whilst on a 482 SiD visa.
NSW 9% of the dutiable value of the property.
Victoria 8%.
Queensland 8%.
Tasmania 8%
Western Australia 7%
South Australia 7%
Australian Capital Territory 0%.
Northern Territory 0%.
With these surcharges you can see why getting PR ASAP is essential!
Please get in touch if you have any questions about living and working in Australia